Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0023890 (cirrhosis)
 42,195 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

We have measured the activity S-adenosyl-L-methionine synthetase in liver biopsies from a group of controls (n = 17) and in 26 cirrhotics (12 alcoholic and 14 posthepatic). The activity of this enzyme was markedly reduced in the group of cirrhotics (285 +/- 32 pmoles per min per mg protein) when compared with that observed in controls (505 +/- 37 pmoles per min per mg protein). No differences in S-adenosyl-L-methionine synthetase was observed between both groups of cirrhotics. Similarly, a marked reduction in the activity phospholipid methyltransferase was also observed in liver biopsies from the same group of cirrhotics (105 +/- 12 pmoles per min per mg protein) when compared with the control subjects (241 +/- 13 pmoles per min per mg protein). Again, no difference in the activity of this enzyme was observed between both groups of cirrhotics. These results indicated a marked deficiency in the metabolism of S-adenosyl-L-methionine in cirrhosis.
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PMID:S-adenosyl-L-methionine synthetase and phospholipid methyltransferase are inhibited in human cirrhosis. 333 21

In human and experimental CCl4-liver damage, S-adenosyl-l-methionine-synthetase and/or the intrahepatic content of S-adenosyl-l-methionine, are diminished and in human cirrhosis phospholipid methyltransferase is markedly reduced. Therefore the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of S-adenosyl-l-methionine administration on liver damage induced by 15-day bile duct ligation. Liver damage was analyzed by histological, ultrastructural and biochemical techniques. Biliary obstruction produced an increase in collagen content, dilation of the bile canaliculi and disorganization of mitochondria. These effects were not observed in the bile-duct-ligated group receiving S-adenosyl-l-methionine. Biochemical results showed that bile duct ligation increased serum bilirubins, and alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase activities. These effects were prevented significantly by S-adenosyl-l-methionine. On the other hand, glycogen content in the liver was depleted while lipid peroxidation was increased by biliary obstruction, S-adenosyl-l-methionine administration prevented these effects. In the bile-duct-ligated group, hepatocyte and erythrocyte plasma membrane Na+/K+ and Ca(2+)-ATPase were lower than in the control group (p < 0.05). Administration of S-adenosyl-l-methionine preserved ATPase activities. The exogenous S-adenosyl-l-methionine supply is probably responsible for restoring transmethylation lost in liver diseases.
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PMID:Protective effect of S-adenosyl-l-methionine on liver damage induced by biliary obstruction in rats: a histological, ultrastructural and biochemical approach. 796 28